The man and I celebrated a milestone this week. We met in the wee small hours at the (then) divey Strawberry Hills Hotel 21 years ago. Our romance feels all grown up and yet, surely I am still only 21 years old myself?
Of course we felt the occasion demanded celebrating, but obviously not enough to organise anything in advance. Typical. Wednesday rolled around and we hadn’t arranged a venue or even booked a babysitter. What to do?
“We could just get a takeaway and open a bottle after the kids have gone to bed,” Bart suggested.
My face said it all.
“Or we could just take the kids out with us?” I replied.
His face said it all.
But, of course, that’s exactly what happened in the end. All five of us went to Jamie’s Italian in the city and amidst the “use your knife and forks” and the “sit up straight, you are practically disappearing under the tables” and the “this is not the place to decide you hate each other forevers”… we quite enjoyed ourselves. The kids were beyond excited to be in the city, eating fancy on a school night. We turned it into a ‘you mean so much to us that we couldn’t possibly celebrate our anniversary without you’ loved-up-family moment, but secretly Bart and I were wishing we were dining at Chiswick per due.
So, a bit of a different ‘lately’ for me today because it’s all about the love…
I’m loving: the way we always make each other laugh, even when we shouldn’t be laughing at all.
I’m enjoying: coming out of the fog of little kids and planning what comes next.
I’m watching: the careful way he considers my feelings and the lengths he’ll go to to make me smile.
I’m eating: … … … no.
I’m reading: nothing about romance or love, that’s for sure. I’ve never once felt the need for a ‘men are from mars’ kind of book with this one.
I’m making: the most of this wonderful gift I’ve been given. I’m grateful every day for this day because I get to spend it with this man.
I’m discovering: that if you get the relationship part right, the rest isn’t so daunting after all.
I’m listening: to the song we played after we said our vows at our wedding. Thanks Bill.
Ah, sweet love. What do you think makes a great romance?
katiecrackernuts says
Happy, happy anniversary. I was so thinking you’d head back to the Strawberry Hills Hotel. It’s a bit less of a dive these days. Maybe a ‘take two’ – you’ve got a whole year to celebrate this milestone, after all.
Maxabella says
We have headed back there a few times over the years. It’s all changed so much now. Sometimes a renovation papers over the memories too.
Anne says
Happy Anniversary. So nice that you celebrated as a family.
Maxabella says
It was actually good fun and we were glad we brought them along. Thanks Anne. x
Elisa says
Happy anniversary!! 21 is awesome! We are at 13 years! Thank you for sharing your love! It’s beautiful xx
Maxabella says
Thanks Elisa. And teenager is a big milestone too. x
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
Congratulations! Oh, to be 21 again… We’ll be celebrating 19 years together at the end of October this year and I feel just as lucky. Simply love that song too – one of my all time faves x
Maxabella says
It’s such a gentle expression of love. Suits us to a tee. x
Seana Smith says
Gorgeous, gorgeous! It’s great to be young and in love… at any age!
Maxabella says
Perfectly put! x
Shannon@ my2morrows says
Aww that is super sweet. Happy anniversary! Keep feeling 21 too! Xx
Maxabella says
It’s getting harder and harder to maintain the myth!!!
Zanni Louise says
I know this well! We spent our 10th anniversary with kids. They didn’t want to miss out on all the fun! It was actually very lovely. Happy 21 years! WOW!!
Maxabella says
It was a great night. And yes – wow. How can I have known anyone for 21 years, let alone my fella?!?
Debs says
Beautiful! Happy anniversary xx
Maxabella says
Thanks lovely. I know you’ve just celebrated one too in an equally happy way. x
Denyse says
Happy 21st you two lovebirds! That swlfie for two shines with your love of and for each other! I know the year was 1996 because that year was a worst & best for me! Worst- our business went bust & best- our first grandchild was born! Here’s to double 21 next time! Denyse xx
Maxabella says
Thanks Denyse – what a year that was for you. I know 2017 is turning out to be equally challenging / wonderful… x
Cat @ life through the haze says
How beautiful. That song is you to a tee,
congratulations on 21 years that is a huge milestone.?
Maxabella says
I know, right!? It has always just summed us up so perfectly. It makes me happy every time I hear it. x
Cathy says
I think it is great Bron that you celebrated with your kids 🙂 Happy Anniversary!
Maxabella says
Accidentally on purpose, I think! x
Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
I love how you celebrate your meeting anniversary! Handy Hubby and I still do too – we figure that we’ve put hard work into all of those years so they deserve celebrating, just as much as our wedding anniversary does too. Happy meet-iversary to you and your man xx